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May/June 2016 // PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL //
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to prevent Australian citizens from gambling
any further with illegal offshore operators.
While the government stopped short of
saying that unlicensed sites will be blocked
outright, confirmed measures do include the
Australian version of a blacklist naming and
shaming violating sites and their operators.
An additional confirmed measure is federal
coordination of prevention efforts with
banks and credit card companies.
Online Gaming Operator Mr Green
Ltd. Selects Kambi Group plc as its
Sportsbook Provider
Jesper Kärrbrink, CEO, Mr Green Ltd.
commented:
“Mr Green has a reputation of
being the gentleman of online gaming. A posi-
tion that promises honesty, fair play, accurate
information and all services attached to the
definition of a gentleman.”
Veikkaus’ Annual Report 2015 is Now
Available
Thanks to persistent long-term development,
Veikkaus’ 75th anniversary was a year of
success. Veokkaus managed to improve its
profit by 3.2%, the financial result attain-
ing EUR 537 million. The turnover for
the financial year increased to EUR 2,095
million (+6.9%). Eurojackpot, Fixed Odds
Betting, and the eInstants did especially
well. The share of the digital channels out of
Veikkaus’ total sales now exceeds 43% and
the number of registered customers went up
to 1.8 million.
Ireland: Unregulated Trade not Obliged
to Report Suspicious Gambling
Betting companies are required to obtain a
licence that governs tax compliance, pay-
ment of duties and ensuring that the book-
maker is fit to hold a licence. But no laws
have been implemented requiring bookmak-
ers to monitor for suspicious gambling activ-
ity, in contrast to industries such as banking
and accountancy. In 2013, proposals for the
introduction of gambling regulations were
drawn up and agreed on—but three years
later the law is yet to be signed off.
Minas Gerais in Brazil Signs Six-Year
Contract with INTRALOT
The renewal contract follows an initial suc-
cessful six-year operation contract signed
between the two parties that has become
a major funding source for social policy,
education and health care initiatives in the
district. INTRALOT deployed more than
2,500 of its proprietary terminals in this
period and established 1,700 Points of Sales
statewide. In the new contract period it is
expected to expand even further its gaming
portfolio adding Virtual Games initially in
400 points of sales, as well as alternative
channels. INTRALOT will continue to
have the complete operation of the project,
including all related services. The Manag-
ing Director of the State Lottery of Minas
Gerais, Mr. Henrique Pereira Dourado,
stated:
“After an unprecedented operational
success that has allowed us to raise significant
funds for the benefit of our citizens, we have
decided to renew our fruitful cooperation with
our partner INTRALOT. We are confident that
INTRALOT’s expertise and international ex-
perience will support our endeavours to reshape
the Brazilian gaming market and increase
value for our stakeholders.”
New Polish Gaming Act
Under Consideration
A draft of legislation that would create a
new Polish Gaming Act has been completed.
There is speculation that the act may intro-
duce a 20% tax on betting revenue rather
than a 12% turnover tax. Sources also say
the legislation may provide for the regulation
of poker, including on-line poker games.
Income from the gaming tax will be used to
finance the increasing budget needs of the
Polish government.
Ireland Daily Million will Draw
Twice a Day
The Ireland National Lottery has an-
nounced that there will now be a Daily
Million draw twice a day, at 2 p.m. and 9
p.m. seven days a week.
NORTH AMERICA
Tribe, State of Oklahoma work to
Finalize On-Line Poker Agreement
that would permit the Native American tribe
to launch a real-money online poker site that
would be available to Americans in all places
where it is not illegal. Under the compact,
the tribe will pay a portion of revenue to the
state. The tribe has two brick-and-mortar
casinos in Oklahoma.
Quebec Legislation could Block
Access to Gaming Sites
The bill would force Internet service pro-
viders to block Quebecers’ access to online
gambling sites that have not been approved
by the government. Government officials say
the bill is necessary to protect the health and
safety of citizens because illegal sites don’t
apply the same “responsible gaming rules” as
sites operated by the government.
PokerStars Boosts New Jersey Revenues
Spurred by the launch of PokerStars, New
Jersey received record revenues in March.
Online poker revenue in March was re-
ported at $2,461,064, up 10.5 percent from
March of last year. The increase puts an end
to a long period of decline for New Jersey’s
online poker market.
Charles “Chuck” Strutt Retires as
Executive Director of the Multi-State
Lottery Association (MUSL)
Chuck has been an integral part of the lot-
tery industry for over thirty years, and his
leadership at the MUSL was key to the orga-
nization’s success for over a quarter century
since it was founded in 1987 with Chuck as
its first employee. During his tenure, Chuck
earned many of the lottery industry’s top
honors including induction into the Lottery
Industry Hall of Fame, the Lifetime Achieve-
ment Award, and the Power’s Award. He was
also interviewed by Forbes magazine and was
named one of that nation’s Top 100 Market-
ers by Advertising Age magazine.
Chuck led the association from its start with